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Storage system having a transport system formed by magnetically driven shuttles

  • US 10,035,652 B2
  • Filed: 02/27/2014
  • Issued: 07/31/2018
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2013
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A storage system comprising:

  • racks for storing products;

    at least two first transfer devices for transferring products, which are to be stored in and removed from the racks, from a transport system to a rack conveying system; and

    at least two second transfer devices for transferring products removed from storage which have been transported by the transport system and for receiving products to be stored and to be transported by the transport system,wherein the transport system includes unpowered rail-mounted shuttles driven by a linear motor mechanically coupled to rails, the shuttles being drivable in a plurality of transport directions including a first transport direction and a second transport direction opposite to the first transport direction, and drivable among a plurality of transport speeds,wherein the linear motor is controllable so as to individually control each one of the shuttles with regard to (i) a transport direction, among the first transport direction and the second transport direction, and (ii) a transport speed, among the plurality of transport speeds,wherein the first transfer devices and the second transfer devices are arranged in secondary loops, wherein rails of the secondary loops branch off from rails of a main loop via branches provided between each secondary loop and the main loop, and wherein, in order to minimize transport paths of empty shuttles, in at least one secondary loop at least one first transfer device is arranged for transferring and at least one first transfer device is arranged for receiving products, and/or in at least one secondary loop at least one second transfer device is arranged for transferring and at least one second transfer device is arranged for receiving products, andwherein the shuttles are configured for transporting the products removed from storage and the products to be put into storage between the first transfer device and the second transfer device across rails of the main loop.

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